Mission Plan

"It's imperative to keep dreams alive because that's how we evolve. I believe this world will be a better place, when more people start dreaming again, but more importantly put action behind their dreams."

"Google Lunar X-Prize" clone-like rovers delivered by a single lander. The lander will "hop" around to deposit the rovers, similar to an upside down Candy dispenser. The lander will return to a centralized high point and start operating as a radio relay, and will also contain a web and e-mail server. -- NOTE: this will NOT be a GLXP mission.

Scout Rovers Income is generated when they are teleoperated by earthbound web surfers for hundreds of dollars a minute paid by credit card. MoonDrivers will be remotely monitored to protect the rovers.

Communications satellite(s) placed in orbit with the first launch and subsequent when possible.

Locations for Sampler rover missions will be determined by the Scout rovers of Mission 1. We plan for 150-180kg of samples and a Long Endurance Rover that "prospects" and gathers information. The landing is planned for the Shackleton Crater at the lunar southern pole. We will be looking for water, other useful resources, and a good location for a future shelter and outpost. At least two of these missions are planned to give a good spread of target areas and rigorously test the technology.

LunarLand will be claimed for the project (see growing and evolving discussion of lunar and other non-Earthly land ownership debates/policies). Our presence on Luna gives us claiming rights and subsequent huge, (justified), real estate deeds transactions profits which will be applied to mission expenses. Realtors and lawyers are required early. - And remember, the Outer Space treaty only applies to Governments, not individuals or corporations. (NOTE - this entire section is open for debate. We will at all times follow all applicable laws and international treaties.)

MoonRock samples will be returned to University of Western Ontario for curation. After being safely cleared, will be distributed to those who requested them or sold at international auction. Western will keep some percentage to distribute later for scientific research.

MoonRock Income and other income opportunities will be used to fund the next mission.

Media opportunities will include auctioning samples, contests to include students at various levels, naming rights as appropriate, documentary rights, etc.

Locations for Ranger class bases will be determined by LunarLand. We plan to do a robotic proving ground, the ultimate goal of our unmanned exploration program. The facility could be used for scientific research, and for trying out industrial activities on the Moon, such as prospecting and mining of lunar minerals. Key transport components of this lunar facility, including booster stages, landing platforms, ascent stages and rovers, would be based on hardware developed for previous missions. Eventually, the components of the base and its resources (such as energy and communications), could be either used by anyone for free, or rented to government-run or private institutions in science and industry as well as various space agencies around the world.

When the HabSite is ready and all tests, and technology developments are satisfactory we will begin manned M3 missions. One person with a lunar tent will stay as long as feasible, testing technology and evaluating and preparinging sites for future construction. The first manned lander will be named "Tranquility" in honor of Apollo 11 (and Firefly/Serenity)(and Aldrin and Armstrong and Collins?).

Test and operate the Explorer Bobcat general purpose rover/backhoe/forklift/grader etc. which will play the central role in M4 site prep.

Formal announcement of outpost construction plans for Mission 4.

Development of licensed merchandise mock and real space/surface suits, other things as they are thought of.

Rent facilities to NASA, ESA, JAXA and other space agencies and to private individuals and organizations with big funding. Talk about a niche market!

Life support improvements as quickly as possible.

Micro-gardens for oxygen enrichment, food, CO2 scrubbing, and research and enjoyment. Improve and add more hab tanks for crew and customer comfort. (Biro-regenerative life support and aquaculture.)

Develop Lunar Research Labs and Lunar Mining with strict controls. Create Lunarscape Law precedents to prevent the exportation of commercial blight to outer Space.

Flight Plans
Work with a launch provider to improve launch and landing capabilities.
Since all the missions are going to the same place (The Moon), each will require a similar flight plan with the one way delivery only missions being truncated.

The Moon is a big place, and we can only work a small area first. The current thinking is Shackleton crater, but, either prove us wrong, or help us with our argument. Tell us exactly where to land first. - See Landing site selection

What will we do when we get there? Just going to build an outpost is certainly a reasonable goal, but, there really needs to be more, or it will be another Skylab. We want, no, need a reason to continue, to keep striving for more. So, Come, please, tell us what you want to do, what science you want to see done. (Only ideas you can participate in please...)

Long Range Lunar Development

Buzz Aldrin said "The moon is dead and uninhabitable but may serve as a way station on the journey to Mars." [Featured Speaker, ISDC, 2009] He meant that Luna can't support life the way Mars eventually will, so The moon doesn't offer a homesteading opportunity. Think Antarctica or the Greenland Icecap, anyplace where the residents would not survive without external resupply.

Think Research Outpost and Tourist opportunity but not much more. Hey, we can fund missions with tourism income! Navigaiter